WIRELINE Spring 2017

Greg Clark MP – Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – shares his thoughts on the importance of the UK offshore oil and gas industry and his priorities for the Industrial Strategy and Brexit.

Q: What are your top priorities as Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy?

Q: You visited Aberdeen andmet with industry representatives just weeks into your new role – what was your impression of the sector? A: When I was the Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, I was lucky enough to visit Aberdeen several times in the period before the 2010 election, so it was great to be back and re-acquaint myself with a sector that is so important to the UK.

A: My Department will play a fundamental role in creating an economy that works for everyone – so that there are great

places in every part of the UK for people to work and for businesses to invest, innovate and grow. To achieve this, I have identified four key priorities for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Meetings with the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), Oil & Gas UK and an industry

The Industrial Strategy green paper provides a further opportunity for voices across the sector to help shape policy development. “ ”

roundtable left me impressed by the strength and vibrancy of an industry working hard to weather the headwinds of lower oil prices. A great deal has been achieved, but there is more to do to secure the future of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). I am excited by the potential of the Aberdeen City Region Deal – and especially the newOil and Gas Technology Centre which it is funding – to generate growth in the area’s economy. A visit to ROVOP, a small subsea company, underlined for me the huge potential

First, my Department must deliver an ambitious, long-term Industrial Strategy. It will lay the foundations for reinvigorating UK economic performance and will be fit for the challenges of the future. Second, we will maximise investment opportunities, build business and investor confidence and deliver the best results for the UK from Brexit.

that our oil and gas service industry has for export growth. And I ended the day with an excellent discussion with local business leaders at

Third, we must promote competition and responsible business practices to safeguard consumers and workers. We will

the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber.

improve corporate governance and ensure that there is a labour market that offers everyone quality, well-paid jobs and better working conditions. Fourth, in order to meet our needs for the future, we will upgrade and diversify our energy supplies, ensuring that they are smarter, cleaner, more secure and more affordable for consumers and businesses.

Q: Could you outline how the government’s Industrial Strategywill work, what role you foresee the oil and gas industry playing, and howcompanies can get involved in the development process?

A: All governments have an industrial policy, but there’s a difference between industrial policies that emerge